I was intrigued by the headline of this Adweek piece a few weeks back, Lessons CPG Brands Can Learn From Startups. Before reading a word, I thought, “is it even possible?” There are lots of smart people at CPG companies but the organizations are hemmed...
Does our storytelling always need to be virtuous? My favorite television shows are populated by despicable characters. Tony Soprano and Walter White robbed and killed. Everyone in Seinfeld, along with the Larry David “character” role in Curb Your Enthusiasm, were highly neurotic and self-absorbed. Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman...
Is storytelling in marketing bullshit? There is a clear answer to this question. Yes. And no. The key is to distinguish between the art of storytelling itself – and the relentless, self-serving hype of what is no more than a marketing fad. Of course, storytelling is important,...
Bill Hillsman visits The Right Braincast to talk about his game-changing work in political advertising. His work formed the foundation for two of the most stunning upsets in political history, both in his adopted home state of Minnesota. Against all odds, Bill helped Paul Wellstone win...
This past week saw two iconic American brands react to racial injustice in strikingly different ways. One chose transparency, shining a light on the issue, accepting responsibility for its actions and putting its money where its mouth was. The other did its level best to...
Coachella, the once obscure Goldenvoice-produced music festival, has undergone a dramatic shift from its modest indie roots when it was founded in 1999. It has blossomed into an internationally recognized, sprawling, commercial enterprise. Now, with well-known artists, big-budget staging and a reputation as a "must...
We like easy. And why not? Who would argue that convenience is a bad thing? Jumping through the past hundred years or so, it seems that almost everyone would agree that it’s better to: Travel cross country by jet than by horse; Wash clothes in...
[caption id="attachment_11577" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Right Brain Studio President & Founder Jeff Hirsch in the Media Center at the Annenberg School of Education at the University of Southern California[/caption] The Right Braincast, our new podcast that connects the dots between brands, the popular culture from which they emerge...
Corporate consciousness is in the news, with Delta Airlines, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Hertz and Avis among companies severing ties with the National Rifle Association after the horrific Parkland shooting. As is always the case when corporations take stands on social issues or engage in some...
CNN is running an ad campaign I like quite a bit. Rather than taking a defensive posture against charges of “fake news,” the company goes on the offensive, claiming the high ground of owning the truth. The introductory spot focused on an apple, simply displayed...